A lot of people make the comment to me that “they couldn’t do it.” Meaning deal with type 1 diabetes 24/7. Of course you could, what else can you do? When my grandson was diagnosed we were all in shock. None of us had dealt with type 1 before. We all read up on the disease, tried to understand it. I even went to the classes at Children’s Hospital with my daughter and her husband, where they give you a crash course in type 1, to try and grasp what we were dealing with. After the classes I went home and and they took their almost 2 yr old home to start what would become a new way of life.
I fell into the category of those that don’t understand, in spite of trying really hard to understand. I wanted to be able to help my daughter when she needed me. In my defense, I know now that it’s impossible to understand this disease if you don’t live with it everyday.
When Joey was diagnosed at our home on May 10th, 2009, by my daughter and son in-law, I was in shock. I stayed very calm, almost to calm for my daughter’s liking. It was a Sunday, Mother’s Day, my daughter wanted to go directly to Children’s hospital, I didn’t, I knew it would be crazy there, and full of possible Swine Flu. I called a friend who happens to be a pediatrician in the practice that we go to. I explained everything and asked him what he thought I should do. He advised me not to go to Children’s, for the reasons I mentioned.
Remarkably, I had Joey’s 8 yr old Dr. appt. the very next morning. My friend called his associate, our Dr., told her everything that was happening, and asked her to be prepared for us when we came in. Within 5 minutes we had our official diagnosis, Joey had type 1. He knew a lot about the disease because of his nephew having it, so he was very sad & upset. It might have been easier if we didn’t know anyone with it, then he wouldn’t have known how horrible a disease it was.
At that moment when our Dr. looked at us and confirmed everything, I thought to myself, I can’t do this. I’m not sure that Joey thought I could do it either. My husband though, had a different confidence. He knew we could do it, so our new life began.
“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”
― Robert Frost
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Therese, this is beautiful…I love the quote at the end. Thanks for sharing!
Therese ~ I remember that day too. Remembering it made tears come to my eyes, yet your Frost quote reminded me that it does… go on and we thrive, with whichever cross we are bearing. Sometimes we wonder how….. You do an amazing job, my friend. And what a guy Joe is… to have that immediate resonse. XO to you all ~
Nicki, I remember taking a picture of them standing by the front tree that we decorate with pumpkins and Mums, thinking how tall and skinny he had gotten, if we only could have known then. yes, Joe is awesome, he always had this take charge, confident attitude that I didn’t have. I worried because I knew I didn’t understand this disease when it happened to J & A. But I’ve learned a lot about the power of prayer, and believing in one’s self to persevere. Thanks for your continued support.